Definition

A chemical substance derived from certain plants, used to treat high blood pressure and as a sedative.

Example

The doctor prescribed reserpine to help manage the patient's hypertension.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of reserpine?

Yeah, I think it's used for treating high blood pressure, right?

Exactly! It's also known to help with anxiety in some cases.

That's interesting! I didn't know it had multiple uses.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Reserpine is derived from the prefix "re-" (meaning back or again) and the root "serpina" (from the Latin "serpens", meaning snake). The word originally referred to a substance that was derived from the plant Rauwolfia serpentina, which is associated with the snake due to its winding roots. Thus, reserpine can be understood as a compound related to the snake-like characteristics of the plant.

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 're-' meaning back or again, and the root 'serpina' relating to a snake. This helps you remember that reserpine is connected to the snake-like plant from which it is derived.

Visually Confused Words